Help With Possible Creaming From Mechanic

[jase23]

Hi guys,

a TOC newbie here after some advice to help protect me from a possibly expensive mechanic. Im trying to prep myself for when I see him later this week following my cars service.

I drive a 1988 E-reg Toyota Corrolla, manual 5 spd, 1.2, 5dr Hatch ~139,000 miles. For some months now it has been giving me a very unpleasant drive with the following symptoms

- spasmodic jerking when accelerating through the gears(esp 2nd), tho this goes away after its driven for a while

- lower power output when accelerating from standing stop

- very fast fuel consumption

- engine idle spped drops to 550/600 in traffic

The car hasn't been properly service in 18months and so is due one. Anyone know the most likely cause of the above issues and approx how much to fix?

The mechanic I took it to alos suggested a new clutch, without driving it and knowing any of the above, is he having me on or is he right?

grateful for any advice..

J

[daktari]

Perhaps the way you`ve described it may have led him to suspect the clutch. Although my first thoughts were that it could be a fuel related problem. Is the car carburettered or fuel injected?

It`s very difficult to diagnose anything by describing it verbally. Ideally the car needs to be driven by someone in the know.

Also. Has the mechanic your taking the car to been recomended to you by someone. This is usually the best way to avoid being stitched up. Any garage worth its salt will want to protect it`s reputation.

[jase23]

thanks for the reply. That what I suspected.

THe mechanic came recommeded from someone who knows him, he used to run a toyota repair joint so he knows his stuff.

I guess the extensive description has given him enough ammo to hit me with ...lol

The car is carburettered btw.

Cheers again.

[System~G]

The sort of symptoms you mention could be that it just needs a decent service with all oils, all filters, spark plugs etc... replacing. The mechanic should also check the CO2 levels and adjust idling/timing etc... accordingly.

Seeing as he was recommended to you and was/is a toyota specialist, chances are he won't fleece you. Get him to quote you before he does any work and then phone a main dealer for a quote to compare pricing ;)